Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude, was aglow with joy and thanksgiving on Thursday as the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Valentine Onaga, commissioned a solar-powered borehole donated by Rev. Fr. Edmund Ugwuegbu, inaugurated the 2025/2026 Academic and Formation Year, and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 46 seminarians.
The multi-faceted event began with a solemn Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Onaga and concelebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, alongside numerous priests and formators.
In his homily, Bishop Onaga charged the seminarians to embrace holistic formation, stressing the importance of spiritual discipline, moral uprightness, academic excellence, and human maturity. He reminded them that the priesthood demands both sanctity and scholarship, urging them to take their studies and spiritual exercises seriously. “A priest must be both a saint and a scholar,” he emphasized.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the Rector of the Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Onodugo, expressed profound gratitude to the bishops for their fatherly care and constant support for the seminary. He thanked the co-formators for their dedication and collaboration in the formation work, and singled out Rev. Fr. Edmund Ugwuegbu for his generosity in donating the solar-powered borehole through his Raise Up the Roof Foundation, which has effectively addressed the institution’s long-standing water challenge. Fr. Onodugo also acknowledged Fr. Ugwuegbu’s support in other areas of the seminary’s development.
He further appreciated other benefactors and friends of the seminary, including Rev. Fr. Ezekiel Okoh, Rev. Fr. Christian Iroha, Rev. Fr. Modestus Onwumelu, Rev. Fr. Leonard Ozougwu, Chief Linus Ozoede, Ọzọ Obiora Arinze, Ọzọ Prof. Obinna Onodugo, Mr. Emmanuel Ngwu, Mr. Emeka Nwoye, Barr. Dilibe Eche, and many others. Special recognition was given to parents and dignitaries in attendance, particularly His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chike Onodugo (Ujaligwa II of Umuavulu Kingdom, Abor).
After the Mass, Bishop Onaga formally declared the 2025/2026 Academic and Formation Year open and proceeded to present academic awards to outstanding students from the 2024/2025 session.
2024/2025 Academic and Formation Year Awards
SS3
1st – Ogbonnia Emmanuel Chukwudi
2nd – Okeke Anthony Chetachukwu
3rd – Ani Emmanuel Chiagozie
SS2
1st – Okafor Victor Chidonso
2nd – Obiogbolu Richard Obidiaso
3rd – Ukeje Paul Chibueze
JSS3
1st – Nnadi Dike Peter
2nd – Onyia Emmanuel Chidubem
3rd – Emengini Charles Kenechukwu
JSS2
1st – Ogbonna Iraeneus Chimaraam
2nd – Ndubuisi Johnpaul Mmerisinachi
3rd – Ugwu Stanley Chiemerie
External Examinations (BECE – Junior WAEC)
1st – Udeh Cyprain Chukwuerika
2nd – Chikezie Martins Akachukwu
3rd – Ozochidubem Samuel Onyedikachi
Best in Mathematics – Emmanuel Ogbonnia Chukwudi
Best Behaved Student – Paul Chiadikobi Onoh (Senior Prefect)
Academic Staff Awards
Best Teacher – Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ozochikelu
Most Punctual Teacher – Mr. Charles Owoh
Most Dedicated Staff – Mr. Augustine Onu
In a further show of encouragement, Bishop Onaga presented a gift of ₦50,000 to the Best Student in Mathematics and pledged to award ₦500,000 to the Best Student in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in the coming year.
Speaking to The Choice Flame Newspaper, the benefactor, Rev. Fr. Edmund Ugwuegbu, who is based in Boston, United States, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve. He revealed that his experience of water scarcity during his time at the seminary motivated him to undertake the project when the Rector drew his attention to the need. He described the borehole project as a way of giving back to the institution that nurtured his priestly vocation.
The event ended on a note of thanksgiving, with seminarians, formators, parents, and guests rejoicing over the manifold blessings recorded at Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude.
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